The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) is pleased to offer the Community Wellness Worker (CWW) Program. The Program is funded by the province of Ontario through the Indigenous Healing and Wellness Strategy (IHWS). The Strategy supports holistic approaches to the promotion of healthy living and the prevention of family violence. Community Wellness Workers in communities across Ontario put the needs of local Métis communities first through the implementation of client driven services to reduce family violence and the promotion of healthy lifestyles through culture based programming.
Community Wellness Workers assist clients by helping them identify concerns and then develop action plans to address those concerns. This is achieved by sharing appropriate information with health and social agencies and through community events like crisis intervention workshops, sharing circles, and community outreach events that educate and promote cultural awareness and illness prevention. Community Wellness Workers also provide participant based services with regards to reducing family violence through fitness and recreation, walking groups, nutrition and foot care clinics, and healthy eating workshops, and Community Gardens.
Through this Program Community Wellness Workers provide a holistic approach to good health that includes traditional ceremonies that promote stress relief and gatherings like the Harvest Meal that promote traditional family activities and healthy eating. Community Wellness Workers also promote information sharing between Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations including mental health centres, shelters, and treatment centres to increase client access to local services. Whenever possible Métis specific cultural approaches are integrated into the programs and services that are delivered.
Community Wellness Workers are located in the following Métis Communities across Ontario:
- Bancroft
- Brantford
- Brampton
- Fort Frances
- Kenora
- London
- Midland
- North Bay
- Ottawa
- Owen Sound
- Renfrew
- Sault Ste. Marie
- Sudbury
- Thunder Bay
- Timmins
- Thorold
- Windsor
The Program also provides a number of client driven and community based services. Community Wellness Workers can help clients by:
- Assisting them in accessing services
- Providing advocacy support to help them secure medical assistance services
- Providing referrals to emergency shelters or transitional housing
- Providing referrals to anger management and treatment programs
- Providing referrals to the MNO’s Mental Health and Addictions Program
- Providing advocacy for those dealing with the court system
Community Development Support Worker Program
In addition to the Community Wellness Worker Program the MNO is also pleased to offer the Community Development Support Worker Program which provides community based services like workshops, presentations, and team building activities focused on developing and enhancing skills and capacity of front line workers. Training ranges from how to work with computer programs and spreadsheets to how to update policy and procedure manuals. The importance of effective communication internally and externally is underscored with training in how to prepare effective presentations which incorporate Métis cultural teachings. Providing this training at the community level helps ensure that our program goals are realized.
CONTACT: To access the Program’s services or if you’d like to know more information please contact our One MNO Navigators at 1-800-263-4889 Ext. 7 or at contactus@metisnation.org.